None is typically the first on any list of great places for a vacation, but these 5 underrated Asian cities have qualities that guarantee a great time at a lower price.
Next time you’re thinking of visiting an exotic, under the radar destination — or perhaps you have some time off after a business trip in Asia — consider these interesting and exciting Far East alternatives. None of these cities is typically the first place you think of on the list of great vacation destinations, but all of them boast activities and adventure at an affordable price relative to the “A-List” of Asian tourist sites.
1. Guangzhou, China
Guangzhou is the “new south” of China. While most first-time visitors to the Middle Kingdom place Shanghai, Hong Kong and Beijing on their can’t miss list, Guangzhou often takes a secondary role among China’s great metropolitan areas.
But don’t let the relative lack of hype fool you. Guangzhou is a thriving, street-smart city with modern amenities smashing up against ancient Cantonese tradition. Up to a third cheaper than Shanghai or Beijing, Guangzhou is every bit as worldly and diverse. Check out the Canton Tower, Baiyun Mountain or the largest amusement park in China, Chime-Long Paradise. Guangzhou is also home to traditional Cantonese style cooking and boasts a seemingly endless array of stir fry and dim sum restaurants.
2. Nara, Japan
Nara is a lesser known spiritual and aesthetic capital of Japan. While most tourists circle Kyoto as the first place to see famous Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines, Nara possesses a jaw-dropping collection of religious sites and ruins that make up the “Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara,” a UNESCO World Heritage site.
With a 120-year-old cultural museum, warm climate and primeval surrounding forest, Nara is an ideal spot for a peaceful, enriching getaway from the bustling modernity of Tokyo and Osaka. Then again, as the birthplace of saki, a little dash of drunken karaoke craziness is never too far away in this jewel of south central Japan.
3. Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Many people will tell you to visit Cambodia to see the majestic ruins of Angkor Wat outside Siem Reap, the jungle trekking or the tropical beaches in the south of the country. They might even recommend you take advantage of the famously cheap prices of just about everything in the country. All of those are legitimate points.
But the real reason to come to Cambodia is the people. Cambodians are famously kind and friendly, and nowhere offers a better opportunity to get to know Cambodians than in the gritty, frenetic capital city of Phnom Penh.
Cambodians are still getting over the horrors of the reign of the Khmer Rouge in the late 70s, and a Civil War that raged into the 90s — and it certainly shows in the developing infrastructure. But you are guaranteed to pass a fun-filled few days touring the Mekong River, the Central Market, Imperial Palace and generally exploring this dusty, colorful city by tuk tuk taxi. The exotic and bizarre (fried tarantulas!) cuisine can be an adventure of its own.
4. Taipei, Taiwan
Of the Asian Tigers — countries known for their explosive economic growth over the past couple decades — Taiwan is sometimes overlooked in favor of closely related brethren Singapore and Hong Kong. But this city has every bit as much as any of them when it comes to history, natural beauty, food, culture, technology and all the other trappings of a cosmopolitan first-world city.
Famous landmarks and things to do include one of the world’s tallest buildings in the Taipei 101 tower, an assortment of eye-popping night markets, the Chiang Kai-shek museum, a range of temples and monuments, as well as some alluring beaches in all directions from the city. Best of all, you can see just about everything and get around the city easily due to a fantastic public transport system.
5. Busan, South Korea
The Republic of Korea’s second city is rarely the first destination on anyone’s mind when thinking about a South Korean sojourn. But Busan offers a worthy rival to Seoul in the north, what with its beaches, nature reserves, hot springs and authentic Korean cultural traditions.
A top-notch international film festival highlights year-round events in this fair-weathered city of almost 4 million residents. Other attractions include the Jagalchi Fish Market, a slew of hiking trails in the surrounding mountains, boat tours, Haeundae Beach, and world class baseball games featuring one of South Korea’s most popular teams, the Lotte Giants. Also worth checking out are various boat tours and ferries to Japan.